In February, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century will play two concerts starring Mozart and contemporaries. For number two, the help of amazing young violinist Theotime Langlois de Swarte will be flown in, an ambassador for historically informed music and specifically for the composer Joseph Bologne, better known as Chevalier de St-Georges. The Volkskrant announced Theotime two years ago as "the great sensation of the baroque violin" and not without reason. His albums are praised to the skies without exception, and last year he won an Edison classical for his Vivaldi album. Tonight you can hear him in repertoire you've probably never heard live before.

Joseph Bologne was a violinist and composer born in Guadeloupe in the 18th century as the illegitimate son of an enslaved and plantation owner. At the age of 10, he came to Paris. His life was a tremendously extraordinary story, but because of his skin color, he fell into oblivion. Bologne was a phenomenal composer and virtuoso violinist, fencing champion (yay!) and lived in the tumultuous Paris of around the French Revolution. He was probably taught by Jean Marie Leclair, and Haydn himself suggested him as conductor for his Paris symphonies. Either way, you will not forget the name Joseph Bologne after tonight.